Summary: Crews worked throughout the day to contain the spot fire that started Sunday evening in the Cache Creek drainage. A helicopter dropped water to cool the fire's edge so crews and dozers could work to build a new containment line. About 1 PM outflow winds from a storm caused another spot fire on the west side of the fire. This fire was burning in a bowl east of Battlement Reservoir Road and produced a large smoke column. About 5:30 p.m., rain over the fire slowed fire activity and the column dissipated with heavy smoke settling into the valley. Garfield County Sheriff implemented a pre-evacuation notice for only six structures near the fire.

Today, crews will continue building containment lines to keep the fire spreading further north. Two crews, 2 Garfield County bulldozers, 2 engines,4 water tenders and two Colorado National Guard Blackhawk helicopters will be working the fire. Fire managers will be flying the fire to help develop a new plan to safely confine and contain the fire in the Battlement Creek drainage. Firefighters will also be monitoring other containment lines watching for spot fires across the line.

Gusty and erratic outflow winds to around 40 mph are possible with widely scattered storms through Wednesday. Over the fire, expect temperatures in the mid-70s to lower 80s and relative humidity of 22-27%. Tonight, and Wednesday expect mostly cloudy skies and possible thunderstorms with gusty/erratic wind. Night-time lows of 47-56 and highs on Wednesday of 72-80.

Smoke is likely over the area today. People with special respiratory needs should continue to monitor the air and take precautions for their comfort and health. For more information about wildfire smoke, please visit here.

An emergency area closure remains in place for parts of the White River National Forest. Travel and recreation is prohibited within the closure area. For any questions about the emergency area closure, please contact the Rifle Ranger District by phone at 970-625-2371. The emergency area closure may be viewed on their website. It is also available on the Cache Creek incident website.

Public Health Recommendations: If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood you may want to remain indoors. This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and the elderly. Consider limiting outdoor activity when moderate to heavy smoke is present. Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is making you ill. If visibility is less than 5 miles in smoke in your neighborhood, smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy.

Outlook: Widespread smoke from several in-state and out-of-state fires is impacting large sections of western Colorado. Periods of moderate to heavy smoke can be expected Tuesday through Wednesday morning within the advisory area, especially in areas near local wildfires. The highest impacted areas will include locations near the Bull Draw Fire near the Montrose/Mesa County line, the Cabin Lake Fire in Rio Blanco County, and the Silver Creek Fire near the Routt County/Grand County line. Additional fire activity is possible near the Plateau Fire near the Dolores/Montezuma County line.

All lands in Garfield County are still under Stage 2 Fire RestrictionsGLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO – Due to the high wildfire danger on the Western Slope and through Colorado, several counties and municipalities have enacted fire restrictions as an effort to prevent wildfires in our area. There has been some rain in Garfield County, however, it has not been enough to impact current fire dangers.

Anywhere and everywhere in Garfield County (incorporated, unincorporated, all towns and cities, and all private property) are still under Stage 2 Fire Restrictions until further notice. Additionally, all Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and United States Forest Service lands within Garfield County are also under Stage 2 Fire Restrictions.

The following restrictions shall be enforced throughout the above jurisdictions:
• No fires/campfires/stove fires or open flame of any kind.
• No charcoal grills and no wood or coal fires for cooking purposes. This applies to personal and designated park charcoal grills. Only natural gas or propane grills with a shut off valve shall be permitted. Allowed outdoor cooking fires shall be attended at all times until the fire is extinguished and cold.
• No smoking outside . Smoking tobacco and marijuana must be done in an enclosed vehicle or building. Vehicle windows should be up to prevent cigarettes, ash, or embers from leaving the vehicle.
• No use of any explosive . All explosives are prohibited, including: blasting caps, exploding targets, tracer rounds, model rockets, etc. Bullets are allowed in unincorporated Garfield County, but are illegal in many towns.
• No fireworks. All fireworks are prohibited, including: toy caps, sparklers, snakes, smoke bombs, fountains, etc.
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• No operating of any combustion engine , including chainsaws, without an approved spark arrestor properly installed; a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher and a round-point shovel must be readily available for use.
• No welding, spark emitting cutting, or operating acetylene or other torch with an open flame except for industrial use with a Fire Department permit only. This must be in a cleared area of at least 10 feet in diameter and in possession of a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher.
Fire restriction violations can be reported to the Garfield County Dispatch non-emergency line at (970) 625-8095.

Fireworks use banPossession and use of fireworks for Garfield County in 2018
On June 11, 2018, the Garfield County Board of Commissioners banned, by Ordinance 1018-1, the ignition of all fireworks in unincorporated Garfield County; including all state and private lands, whether the fireworks are legal or illegal. The ban is in effect until the “end of fire season,” as determined by the Garfield County Sheriff.

Legal fireworks are fine to purchase or possess, even when Stage I or Stage II fire restrictions have been established. It is the use of those fireworks which is currently illegal in unincorporated Garfield County (i.e. outside of the various municipal city limits; please check with each municipality for any restrictions they may have).

Possible penalties: This ordinance states that anyone violating this ordinance shall be subject to all surcharges set forth in § 30-15-402, C. R. S., as amended, and shall pay a fine of not more than $1,000.00 for each separate violation Understand - Due to this ordinance, at this time, even the normally legal fireworks are illegal to ignite.

Burn permit restrictionsNo open burning is allowed without a permit, and no burn permits will be issued until conditions permit after Labor Day.

Give them 3 feet

Garfield County Public Health has launched "Give them 3 Feet," a public awareness sign campaign that encourages all road users to share the road. Public input is sought on where to place additional signs.

Garfield County has submitted a letter to Gov. John Hickenlooper, as well as filed formal comments to the BLM, providing local input on the Northwest Colorado Greater Sage-Grouse Draft Resource Management Plan amendments.

Garfield County has entered into a class-action lawsuit that seeks to reimburse counties that were underpaid payment in-lieu of taxes (PILT) funds from 2015 through 2017. The county stands to recoup $121,931.

Garfield County -
NEW ENERGY IN THE WILD WEST: This is the official website of Garfield County government in west central Colorado. The county covers nearly two million acres, ranging from rugged alpine mountains to high mountain desert plateaus - about 60% public lands. Home to approximately 58,000 people, Garfield County boasts incredible outdoor adventures, a premier seasonal climate and has major rail, interstate and air access. Industries include energy development, tourism, ranching and farming. demographics-|